THE favorite uncle is the one who dresses well, is very capable, easy to relate to, fun-loving, frugal for himself but generous to others, and will never embarrass you in front of friends. When we ask our favorite uncle for a favor, like driving to the beach, being driven to the prom, or going out for a night of beer, he rarely says no and usually foots the bill.
My favorite Uncle George lives in New York, wakes up at precisely 6:30 am, makes his oatmeal (and a bowl for me too) and goes about his business with resolve. A favorite uncle, always gets the job done.
That’s how I think of the 2023 Ford Everest Sport. It is an earnest sports utility vehicle that has defied the notion that settling for a base or mid-spec variant means compromising on satisfaction and performance.
The Ford Everest Sport is well-dressed.
The review vehicle we used was blue with really nice semi-gloss black wheels. This is a rather unique and eye-catching look–not original–but extremely well done on the Everest Sport. This blacked-out theme replaces most of the traditional chrome accents, from the grille and front bumper to the side mirrors and roof rails. The black finish sets it apart from its counterparts and gives meaning to the Sport badge.
Aligned with the next-gen Everest’s boxier and rugged design, the Sport variant seamlessly complements the overall aesthetic. The C-shaped LED headlights, a signature of Ford vehicles, enhance the front end’s visual appeal. Although lacking matrix LED headlights, the standard LED headlights provide ample visibility even during nighttime drives.
On the sides, the 2023 Ford Everest Sport showcases the same alloy wheel design as higher-end variants. However, in line with its theme, the design team opted for black accents, including 20-inch black alloy wheels. This upgrade from the 18-inch alloys found in the Everest Limited and Trend adds a touch of sportiness.
At the rear, the Everest Sport leaves a striking impression with its unique LED taillights interconnected by a blacked-out bar. While the hands-free function of the power tailgate could be more sensitive, it remains a convenient feature. Notably, the Sport-exclusive Blue Lightning color adds an extra level of appeal to the variant.
The favorite uncle always makes sure you feel welcome. Ditto for the Ford Everest Sport. Passengers are given the space of a larger-sized SUV, with ample room even if, in reality, not much has changed in the dimensions. This spacious cabin, along with the flexibility of the third-row space in its many arrangements, aligns with expectations for a mid-size seven-seater SUV. Like in any third-row arrangement, passengers here should be leaner and less tall. Kids will love the space, as I have proven, but cushioning improvements and additional legroom for the third-row occupants may be needed.
Both the driver and front passenger seats feature 8-way power adjustment, adding convenience to the driving experience. Across the Everest range, a combination of leather and synthetic leather covers the seats, ensuring a touch of both sport and luxury.
The favorite uncle performs really well. In his youth he walks ten blocks through Manhattan for work. He may have done fast breaks in basketball, runs the field, then passes the ball to you for a goal, usually golfs under par, and runs 10K marathons with ease.
The Ford Everest Sport is the same. The 2.0-liter single-turbo diesel engine generates 168 horsepower (170PS) and 405 Nm of torque between 1,750-2,250 rpm. That doesn’t read like much, but take it to the roughest of off-road places, and it will get out of most ruts. It stands on tall 20″ alloy wheels wrapped in 255/55 R20 tires.
The six-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth shifting, and the steering offers a firm and responsive feel. In my drives, I was able to extract at least 8.5 km/l in the city and 16.6 km/l on our usual Laguna to Quezon City highway drives. Instead of carrying seven passengers over the distance, it was two boxes of books for donation that were carried. Opting for the Sport variant allows for significant savings compared to higher-end models.
The favorite uncle always wants the best and safest experiences.
In this regard, the Everest Sport proved its smoothness despite the oft-maligned ladder frame chassis. It is stable, firm, and composed even during rushed and speedy maneuvers. It boasts the following amenities that make life less challenging on the road: a wireless charger, 8-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, which are a combination of leather and synthetic material with a necessarily red-stitched sport styling, a smart keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, second-row overhead auxiliary air control that extends the ventilation to the third row.
There are a lot of 12V sockets in the front center console, third row, and cargo area, even a windscreen-mounted USB port. For better vision at night, an auto-dimming rearview mirror is included. The eight-inch digital instrument screen helps maintain speed within limits, instilling a sense of confidence on the road.
Don’t compare the Sport to the more luxurious Titanium when searching for driver-assist systems. Like the favorite uncle, the Sport believes that less is more–and only the important stuff is needed, which means automated cruise control and a blind spot information system. Priced at P2.089M, the Ford Everest Sport proves that, like a great favorite uncle, only the things that matter are all that really matter.
A visit to the Ponce Farm
Part of the test drive was to bring my daughter from her dorm in Quezon City, early in the morning and then take the back roads of the Laguna Loop, do a hard right into Lukban Quezon, exit right along the new Calabarzon highway and end up in Sariaya, Quezon on the way back.
Sariaya is my wife’s maternal grandmother’s hometown, and we continued our adventure by embarking on a road trip to the beautiful province of Quezon.
Our destination is a discovery of sorts, Ponce Farm, a picturesque resort-farm nestled in the heart of Sariaya, surrounded by ricefields on the east and a treeline on the west side. The journey to this idyllic location allowed us to further explore the capabilities of the Ford Everest Sport while enjoying the scenic landscapes that Quezon has to offer.
I mapped the route–Ateneo down Marcos Highway, straight into Cogeo, up Tanay, a quick look-see at the old Tanay Adventure Camp then route back into the Laguna Loop, a quick dive to the Pililia Wind Farm (which is growing in number) then down to the towns of Paete existing to Cavinti, Pagsanjam, then Sta Cruz, all the way to Lukban and Sariaya. The 2.5-hour road trip allowed us (all seven of us) to fully experience the comfort and performance of the Ford Everest Sport. The spacious cabin and supportive seats ensured that all occupants remained comfortable throughout the ride, even during extended periods of driving. The tall ride height provided a commanding view of the surroundings, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of the countryside.
The Ford Everest Sport’s ride quality remained impressive, with the suspension system effectively absorbing bumps and uneven surfaces. This contributed to a smooth and enjoyable ride, minimizing the impact of road imperfections on both the driver and passengers. The SUV’s refined noise insulation further enhanced the driving experience, creating a serene atmosphere within the cabin.
Quezon Province is known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. As we traveled through the province, we couldn’t help but be captivated by its natural beauty. The Ford Everest Sport proved to be a reliable companion, effortlessly maneuvering through winding roads and undulating terrains. Its responsive steering and stable handling instilled confidence, allowing us to navigate the twists and turns with ease.
Our destination, Ponce Farm, welcomed us with its serene ambiance and breathtaking scenery. Nestled amidst rolling hills and verdant fields, this eco-friendly farm offered a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Ford Everest Sport’s generous cargo space proved to be advantageous, as we had ample room to transport our camping gear and provisions for a memorable glamping experience. —with Gregory E. Bautista
(This article won the presitgious Best Ford Automotive Feature at the 2024 Henry Ford Awards)
